First trip to the cabin!

For Memorial Day weekend we decided to go to Great Grandma and Grandpa Jarvis's cabin up north. We packed the car and headed away for the weekend. We got there late on Saturday night and stayed through Monday morning. On Sunday, we went to church and then Great Grandma and Great Grandpa took us out to a champagne brunch in Antigo (near the camp where your dad and I met.)

Us in Antigo

Back at the cabin we played lots of Pick It and Skipbo. You were very good and also very interested in the cards. We took turns holding you while you grabbed at our cards.

Four Months Old and Starting to Roll Over

My little darling, it is so hard to believe you are four months old today! Deepest winter has turned to blossoming spring and you have grown from a little bundle of joy to a little bundle of curiosity. You love watching the cats play, listening to mommy sing or daddy read to you, being tickled without your clothes on and your toy giraffe, Sophie.

This last Friday I went to get you up from your nap and you were on your back! (I always put you on your stomach.) You looked just as surprised as I did. Later in the weekend, you showed me how you rolled over, craning your neck to see if anyone was around and tipping over. It won't be long now until you are rolling over with ease.

My little love on 5/23/11

Ezzie rolls over 5/24/11

Sleeping Alone

Since the day you were born, you've slept with me. First on my chest and then, when you got too big, you started sleeping right next to me, all cuddled up.

We tried a lot in the first couple weeks after you were born to put you in your bassinet but you wanted to be held and close to us.

We've known for awhile you would need to sleep on your own. We started "bedtime" a couple weeks ago and you've responded very well. We put you to sleep in your bassinet when you get tired in the evening and then we take you into bed with us when we go to bed a couple hours later. I love sleeping with you cuddled up with me, but I know that it cannot last forever and the best time to move you will be before you will miss me as much as I miss you.

So earlier this week when we went to bed one night, you were sleeping very restlessly against me. I was tired and I couldn't fall asleep with your wiggling. So I set you in the bassinet, which is right next to the bed. You stayed asleep! Ever since then, you now sleep alone. I just pick you up and take you into our bed when you are hungry and set you back down after you've eaten. A big milestone for you! Some day we'll move you into your crib in your own room, but not yet.

Mama Loves Magnolias (and taking pictures)

Every year I like to go to the Arboretum and take pictures of the magnolias blooming. This year, I was excited to photograph you with the magnolias! We picked a perfect night (the night before my 30th birthday), the weather was beautiful and the light was great. Here are some photos from your first trip to see the Arboretum magnolias in bloom:

Growling Baby!

For about a week in early May, you growled! It was your new vocal sound and you did it non-stop. It was adorable, although you sounded a little possessed, especially at first when we weren't sure what you were doing. Here's a video I captured of you growling:

Three Months Old and Easter

Your first Easter was the day after you turned 3 months old. I had a little dress I bought you and I was dying to try it on you (your first dress!) and take pictures. You and I spent the day at Grandma and Grandpa Jarvis' with Aunt Amy and Aunt Lydia (your dad had to work until it was time to eat). Your aunts helped me take pictures of you that came out looking amazing. You are laying on Aunt Amy's black fleece blanket, but it could be a professional photography backdrop. Below are some of my favorite pictures from your first Easter.

Crazylegs!

Your first Crazylegs was also my first Crazylegs, but daddy's second. Daddy's work sponsored him and other employees who wanted to run or walk. We walked in the "Walkers with Strollers" group, we were the fastest ones in the group.

 Baby and daddy, ready to go!

 Our family before & after!

First Trip to the Zoo

The same weekend that Lily came to visit, the weather on Sunday was hot and sunny (almost 80 degrees!) We couldn't pass up the opportunity to take you to the zoo for the first time and spend some more time with your great uncle Matt and his little daughters. So to the zoo we went!

This picture was taken by abuela on my cell phone.

Nursing in Public

I don't mind nursing in public. You are a very fast eater and that helps. Your dad took this picture of us nursing at a park on State Street when we went for a walk downtown on a nice early spring evening in April.

I also snapped this shot that evening (you were exactly 10 weeks old). It's one of my favorites!

Meeting Cousin Lily

Your cousin Lilyann (actually she's your dad's cousin, so your 1st cousin once removed) was soooo excited to meet you! She came with her dad, your great grandma Benson and her sister, Juliann, to meet you when you were only 5 days old BUT, unfortunately, both Lily and Juliann were sick and they had to play in the basement so they did not get you sick. You finally met Lily in April when your aunt Eliza was in town for the first time after you were born and we had a big Benson family get together at la casa de Abuela y Abuelo.

Here is Lily proudly holding you at your first meeting.